Kailash Manasarovar Yatra update: Indian Embassy video outlines Yadong County facilities in Tibet

Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami has shared a video from Tibet on pilgrim arrangements. The clip describes facilities for Indians taking the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. It was recorded in Yadong County and uploaded on the Indian Embassy website on Friday. Doraiswami recently visited Tibet to check preparations for the next group.

Representative image

In the video, Doraiswami greeted travellers and described the first steps after arrival. "Greetings, friends from India, pilgrims on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. This is from the Embassy of India in Beijing. We wish you a warm welcome in Yadong County, China,\" Doraiswami said. The message aimed to brief pilgrims before the journey begins.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra entry process and travel to Yadong County

Doraiswami said Chinese Customs and Immigration will receive pilgrims at the Nathulla Pass entrance. After the immigration process, buses will move pilgrims to Yadong County. The drive is expected to take about 35 to 40 minutes. The video focused on these logistics to help pilgrims plan their arrival.

Doraiswami also pointed to services available once pilgrims reach Yadong County. Amenities mentioned included restaurants and foreign currency exchange. Doraiswami warned pilgrims about cold weather conditions in the area. Doraiswami added that more videos will be posted later, showing facilities at other locations used during the route.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra facilities linked to border market plans

The ambassador said a dedicated complex in Yadong County was built for the border market. Doraiswami said the market is expected to start sometime soon. The facility was highlighted as part of the infrastructure seen by pilgrims. The video aimed to show how the stop in Yadong County is being prepared.

Doraiswami travelled to Lhasa last week on the first visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region. The trip involved a joint review with local government authorities. The focus was on arrangements for Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Pilgrims are scheduled to arrive later this month, as per the plan shared.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra resumption and India-China engagement

Doraiswami took charge as ambassador early last month. Since then, Doraiswami has met senior Chinese foreign ministry officials. Those discussions covered bilateral issues, according to the update. The pilgrimage is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. The arrangements in Tibet are part of the planned movement for the batches.

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was first stopped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It stayed suspended later due to the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control LAC in eastern Ladakh. The yatra restarted in June last year. The first group reached Manasarovar Lake in Tibet after a five-year break.

The restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was also linked to wider diplomatic steps. It was described as the first initiative taken by both countries last year. This followed the resumption of ties after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting took place in 2024 at Kazan in Russia.

With inputs from PTI